Investing in your priorities as Full Council approves final budget

Essential frontline services in Brent will be shielded in the year ahead as the council approved its budget for 2026/27 yesterday (23 Feb). This announcement comes despite the deepening financial strain facing boroughs across the capital with nine London councils requesting emergency financial support to balance their budgets.

The council’s budget, which is shaped in collaboration with residents and Brent’s Scrutiny Task Group, sets the council’s spending priorities for the year ahead and supports a clear focus on a cleaner, safer Brent and supporting the borough's most vulnerable residents.

Residents will see investment in cleaner streets, better public spaces, improved parks, safer neighbourhoods and more new council homes. The council’s budget also lays out plans to protect the vital services that hold Brent together, which are often unseen, such as caring for older residents and people with disabilities, safeguarding children and young people, and supporting families through difficult times.

To balance the budget, the council must find around £10 million in savings, on top of the £238million of cuts over the last 15 years. Like most councils, Brent will need to increase council tax by 4.99%, bringing the average Band D bill to £42.99 a week from April, to safeguard essential services. Support is available through the Council Tax Support Scheme and the Residents’ Support Fund.

At the same time, the council is accelerating changes behind the scenes so that every pound spent delivers more value. Data and technology are being used to work smarter, improve online access, secure better deals from suppliers and make more efficient use of council buildings.

Alongside day to day services, the budget also backs a major capital programme to invest in Brent’s future, with new council homes, the Wembley Housing Zone and Bridge Park regeneration, safer neighbourhoods through CCTV investment, sustainable streets through our Green Neighbourhoods and carbon reduction schemes, and stronger local centres through projects such as South Kilburn regeneration and the Neasden Civic Partnership, as well as better community facilities including libraries, leisure centres and the Willesden Health and Wellbeing Hub, and finally, long term transformative growth through investment in enabling London’s newest Overground Line, the West London Orbital.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “This budget is about investing in the priorities residents tell us matter most: cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods and tackling the cost-of-living crisis, all while protecting the frontline services people rely on every day.

“Brent is facing unprecedented financial challenges, driven by London’s growing housing emergency and rising social care costs for our ageing population.

“Despite these challenges, we are proud of our longstanding record of responsible financial management, and I am pleased that once again we have approved a balanced budget that protects what matters most today while investing in Brent’s future, putting our borough on a strong path for the years ahead.

“Despite the challenges, we believe in Brent and we remain ambitious for the next chapter in our borough’s story. We know that better days are built, not wished for, and we are committed to working with our communities to make Brent a place where everyone can thrive. I want to thank residents for engaging with us throughout the consultation. Your feedback has helped shape this budget and ensures every pound is invested wisely in the priorities that matter most to you.”

Read the full budget for 2026/27.